Ragai Mata Mandir

Chinchodyacha Pada, Kumbharkhan Pada, Dombivli West, District Thane

The Ragai Devi Mandir, situated in the west of Dombivli city—known as the cultural capital of Thane district—is considered a highly awakened (jagrut) place of worship. Ragai Devi is the Kuldevi (family deity) of the Agari community, which resides in large numbers in Dombivli. Devotees firmly believe that she is a goddess who fulfills vows and rushes to the aid of her devotees. This is an ancient site of Ragai Devi, who is the village deity of Chinchodyacha Pada and Kumbharkhan Pada. The temple attained its current form after a renovation conducted about 25 years ago.

According to the history of the Agari community, they are believed to be descendants of the Yaduvanshi lineage. In the 13th century, when King Bimb of Mungipaithan attacked Sagargad in Alibaug taluka and subsequently conquered the principalities of Chaul, Awas, and Sasavane, the army that accompanied him settled in this region. The King granted some of these people the right to build salt pans and produce salt. In those times, salt was a highly profitable business. It is said that the people who engaged in this trade came to be known as Agari. Previously, the Agari community in Dombivli lived in various padas (hamlets) just as they did in their original village settlements. According to a legend, the Goddess previously lived with her sister in the then-village settlement of Mota Gaon. However, one day she had a quarrel with her sister and, in a fit of rage, came to these padas. That is how she came to be named Ragai (the angry one). 

Regarding this temple, it is said that about 100 years ago, a farmer with the surname Mhatre found a stone idol of the Goddess in his field. He first built a small tiled temple there and consecrated the idol. A few years later, the villagers decided to renovate the temple collectively and built a small structure. Now, a grand temple has been constructed on that very spot.

The temple is located near a petrol pump in the Ganesh Nagar area, ten minutes away from Dombivli railway station. On the left side of the road, one can see an attractively carved archway of the temple. Many sculptures are carved onto this arch. The temple is just a few steps from here. The shikhara (spire) of the temple is distinctive. This four-tiered shikhara features sculptures of gods, goddesses, great saints, and the Navnathas. In front of the temple are the Tandales (stone icons) of the Sat Asara. Asara is a corrupted form of the word Apsara, and they are water deities. They are always found together in a group of seven, hence they are called Sat Asara. Their names are Matsyi, Kurmi, Karkati, Darduri, Jatupi, Sompa, and Makari. The Tandales of the Sat Asara here are also referred to as Khamdev. Roosters and goats offered as part of vows to the Goddess are sacrificed in front of them. A few steps from here is a Tulsi Vrindavan and a shrine dedicated to Dattatreya nearby.

The architecture of the Ragai Mata Mandir consists of a Darshan Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), and a circumambulation path around the sanctum. Two pillars in the open Darshan Mandap are connected by an arch. Delicate carvings have been executed on the pillars and arches. There is an idol of Ganesha in the upper part of the entrance porch. An idol of Ganesha is also present on the lintel above the entrance of the Sabha Mandap. The pillars and walls of this Sabha Mandap feature attractive carvings. 

The Garbhagriha of the temple is beautiful. Its frontal pillars and the arched frame above them are adorned with floral carvings. Inside, there is a large Vajrapitha (throne). Upon it, in a large silver shrine, is the vermilion-anointed idol of Ragai on the left side. This idol is carved on a square stone slab. It is a relief sculpture showing the Goddess in full form. Small idols of two deities are carved on both sides of her. To the right of Ragai is an idol of Durga Mata seated on a tiger. In one hand, Durga Devi holds a sword, in the second a shield, in the third a trident, and in the fourth a lotus flower. Below the Vajrapitha are idols of Dvarapalas (gatekeepers). In the center is an image of the Sun. On the rear arch, a tiger face is carved, and above it are a Shrifal-Kalash (coconut-pot) and elephants, which are symbols of prosperity. On the circumambulation path of the Garbhagriha, there are shrines of village deities on both sides.

The festival of the Goddess is celebrated in this temple on Chaitra Krishna Saptami and Ashtami. During this festival, the sanctum of the Goddess is decorated with flowers. After the worship of the Goddess on the first day, a procession of the palanquin carrying the mask of the Goddess is taken through Kumbharkhan Pada, Chinchodyacha Pada, Navapada, and Garibacha Wada areas amidst the sound of drums and the showering of gulal. Thousands of devotees are present at this time. Along the way, women devotees perform aarti for the palanquin. A large fair is held in the area on the second day. At this time, vows are made and fulfilled to the Goddess. In the month of Ashadh, on both Ekadashis, a vegetarian offering (naivedya) is made to the Goddess. During this time, Haripath and Dnyaneshwari recitations also take place. Many programs are held here for nine days during Navratri. Recitations and bhajans are performed during this festival. On the eighth day, the Gondhal of the Goddess begins at 9 o’clock at night and continues throughout the night. On the second day, there is a Bhandara (community feast) for the devotees. A community aarti is held in the temple every Tuesday.

Useful Information

• 3 km from Dombivli railway station
• 20 km from Thane city
• Rickshaw and Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Transport bus facilities available
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking lot
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the area